ALLEN PARK — Give the Detroit Lions credit, they have not used the multitude of injuries as an excuse for a 4-10 record.

“Next man up” is the motto.

The cold, hard fact is that the injuries have mattered.

Yes, every NFL team has them. The Lions have more than most and it gets worse by the day.

Advertisement

When defensive tackle Nick Fairley was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday with a shoulder injury, it marked the ninth Lions’ starter on the list.

“(With Fairley) it was No. 1, he wasn’t going to be able to play and No. 2, a situation that could potentially be made worse, gone from a short-term thing to being a long-term thing,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said. “It’s a little disappointing to lose him for the last three games. If you look back on this season he’s showed every reason that we drafted him (in the first round) and he’s well on his way to becoming a quality player in the NFL.’’

Rookie cornerback Chris Greenwood (sports hernia) is also on the list and never played a snap this season.

The injuries at defensive back (three), defensive tackle (two) and wide receiver (three) have been the most devastating.

Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said one of the reasons that Matthew Stafford’s quarterback rating is down this season to 78.9 from 97. 3 last season, is that he’s been throwing to different options since Burleson, Young and Broyles were lost for the season.

“I think it’s more to do with the fact that the continuity of his receiving corps has not been there,’’ Linehan said. “He didn’t have any injuries last year with the guys we were counting on. It’s not an excuse, but you’re not going to have the same rhythm and timing if you have a revolving door at your skill positions.’’

Last year the Lions were fortunate that they never lost a snap to the wide receivers because of injury.

“We had depth on defensive line and wide receivers. We were trying to answer a bunch of questions last year, How do you draft a wide receiver (Broyles) in the second round?’’’ Schwartz said. “... It wasn’t the same way (this year). Even Calvin (Johnson) who is the last man standing of that group, has battled through his own injuries. It’s amazing the production that he’s been able to have.’’

Wide receivers Kris Durham, MIke Thomas and Brian Robiskie are trying to fill the gap. They don’t know the offense as well and aren’t as familiar to Stafford.

The defense took a hit losing Fairley since Williams is out too. That leaves just two of the four defensive tackles that were on the roster in September in Ndamukong Suh and Sammie Hill.

Andre Fluellen was signed to help out. Also on Wednesday former Michigan State Spartan defensive tackle Ogembi Nwagbuo, but he likely won’t be ready to play on Saturday.

Hill will start beside Suh for the second straight game on Saturday.

“It’s a great opportunity for a guy like Sammie Hill to go out and get more reps than he has maybe since his rookie year,’’ Schwartz said.

“I’ve just got to out there and be productive and do my job,’’ said Hill who was a regular starter in his rookie season. “I’m not worried about what’s going on or what’s going to happen at the end, I’m worried about what’s going on now. My biggest thing is to keep going out there and keep helping my team to win.’’

Cornerback Jacob Lacey, who started six of the last seven games, was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. It’s expected that Jonte Green or Drayton Florence will get the start in his spot.